, 1887-01-11

hildits IiODfloDulF VI III Ills 'liliit
moments he reflected that at least he was
occupying a different position from that
Of the rest of his fellow clerks.
The chief man in Turin, 80 far as
~IIodgson, Dunford & Parr were con
cerned, was u certain Count Marsoni.
The count s nobility did not prevent his
being the principle member of n large
firm Of merchants and shipowners. To
cultivate this man was, indeed, the chief
reason OF Mr.. Hodgson's journey to
Turin; and, as the old banker knew very
well how to lay aside his crusty and
pompous manner when it suited his book
TO do so, he soon came to be a not unfre-
quent guest at the Villa Marsoni.
Mr.. Hodgson began to see that there
was u very fair opening for al English
hank at Turin, and he was still engaged
in pushing his way here and there, when
he received news that his wife was Sc
riously ill. This made him hurry off to
England. leaving Mathers behind him to
complete n transaction which he had al
ready practically arranged.
Delighted at being left to represent the
firm, for ever 80 short a time, and ever
80 formal "A matter, Mathews was pacing
one day down the principal street of the
city with n look of considerable import
ance on his face when he met Count Mar
soni. The count stopped and asked after
the old banker, when Tommy proudly
informed him that he had returned to
England, leaving him in charge of the
affairs of the firm.
..Ah. indeodl Well, there's a little
matter | wanted to speak Of to him.
Il shall be happy to serve you, count, -
said Tommy in his very best Italian.
wei, suppose you dine with us to
night, and we can talk it over after din
ner, % returned the count, who thought
he ought TO show a little attention to the
lonely Englishman.
OF course the invitation was accepted.
and Tommy had no sooner entered the
drawing room at the Villa Marsoni than
he lost his heart at once, irrevocably and
forever. Maria Marsoni was, indeed,
beautiful and vivacious enough to have
turned the head of a wiser and colder
blooded man than Tommy. Mathers; and
so ready was lie to amuse her by his
efforts to speak a language that lie par
tally knew that he won more favor III
the maiden's eyes than many II more
brilliant talker would have done. Such
an impression, indeed, did the signorinas
bright eyes make upon Tommy $ suscep-
tible heart that he was barely able to give
due attention to the count, when. after
dinner, he began to talk Of bills, discount.
mortgages and debentures.
Time went on; Mr.. Hodgson did not
return To Turin, and Mr.. Mathers paid
several visits to the counts residence.
coming away more in love every time.
Meanwhile, by dint of going about CON
~tinually among the citizens, the young
man was able to send home 30 good Il list
of prospective customers that the partners
determined to establish a branch Office ut
Turin. and offer young Mathers II subor-
dinatc post in it.
Nothing definite, however, had been
fixed. when one day Tommy finding
Maria Marsoni alone when he called ut
the villa, lost his head completely, and
was making love as well as his imperfect
knowledge of Italian permitted, when
the count, suddenly coming i'll, caught
him in the act of kissing his daughter
hand.
Maria fled like IA hare disturbed On her
form. and the count advanced with II
heavy frown on his aristocratic brow.
More us Il matter of form than amy
thing else, for he knew his case was hope
less, Mathcrs formally asked the hand
OF the signorina i'll marriage, laying the
blame Of his irregular declaration on the
strength of his passion and his Ignorance
of Italian etiquette.
The count heard him to the end, and
then surveyed him from head to TOO;
with IL look of contempt.
1t isa piece Of gross presumption in
you-a mere clerk, II ~nobody-to address
my daughter. said the count Mt last in
English. with his chin in the air.
'.Of course, said Tommy bitterly,
stung by the counts look. If | We're Il
partner in Hodgson's, though, you would
give me IL different answer.
IF YOU were II partner III Messrs.
IIolgson. Dunford & PARIS said the
count. with an altered expression, that
would make u difference of course; but
as | do not understand that you have any
prospect of entering that firm, | don't see
how that affects you
Tommy sighed, and made his escape ns
soon MS possible. He knew that he might
rs well ask for the lord CHARACTERISTIC as
ask for n partnership in the hank.
For two days he remained in u state OF
collapse and then he received advices
from London informing him Of the de
cision to which the firm had come with
respect to the new branch. y few
months before Mathers would nave been
transported with delight at the proposal
which the firm made to him; but now he
considered that he was getting barely his
due. and. besides, he was so cut up with
respect To the beautiful Maria that mere
.,...~..,l ..,,t.... IA ,,nt ,Nnaa..a tI.t-
usual interest for him.
Suddenly, as he sat with the open let
ter bearing the well known signature he
fore him, Tommy conceived an idea.
Without II moments delay he called
for his bill at the hotel, sent a waiter for
a cab and took the first train n%orthward.
lie arrived at Victoria early in the morn
ing, went 10 n hotel, washed and dressed
himself. and, purposely delaying until
the partners should have reached the
Office in st. Swithin's lane, he presented
himself before his employers as they Were
engaged in discussing the morning let
ters.
Hello yr,' cried Mr.. Hodgson, as he
caught sight Of the young man. What
are You doing heref Anything wrong
Nothing is wrong that | know of.
dir, said the young man, coolly.
Then why are you here without
have" asked the junior partner. Didn't
YOU get our letter informing you of ouI
new arrangements
II did. Mi. Parr. Ii is III conse-
quruce of that letter hat l am here. y
rhi was said with considerable gravity,
and Tommy helped himself to n chair rs
he poke. Il am afraid. sir. - he contin-
ueI. that | cannot accept the situation